Events Manager at United Way of Greenville – Greenville, South Carolina

Events Manager

Reports to: Chief Philanthropy Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time

About United Way of Greenville County

For over 100 years, we have united the community to help people live better, safer, and more successful lives. While our work has evolved to meet the challenges of the day, our vision remains the same: Our mission is to mobilize people and resources to improve lives, strengthen the community, and advance equity for the benefit of all. Our vision is a Greenville County where all people have access to the opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Our STAR Values

• Support: Collaborate with our team and partners to advance shared goals.

• Trust: Build transparent and respectful relationships that deliver on promises.

• Act: Show up each day with purpose, innovation, and adaptability.

• Reflect: Hold ourselves accountable to the community we serve and the future we aim to shape.

Where We Serve

United Way of Greenville County serves individuals and families throughout Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, and Travelers Rest, as well as surrounding communities like Berea, Judson, Gantt, Sans Souci, and Taylors.

Position Summary

United Way of Greenville County mobilizes people and resources to improve lives and strengthen our community. The Events Manager plays a critical role in advancing this mission by leading the planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact events that engage donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and community leaders such as Hands on Greenville Day, School Tools, Grateful GVL and Project Joy. This role works collaboratively across departments to ensure events are strategically aligned, operationally excellent, and reflective of United Way's brand, values, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Planning

• · Develop and manage an annual events strategy aligned with organizational priorities, fundraising goals, and community engagement objectives.

• · Lead planning for signature events, donor recognition events, corporate engagement events, and community-facing experiences. Some internal event responsibilities.

• · Create detailed event plans, timelines, budgets, and run-of-show documents to ensure consistent, high-quality execution.

Event Execution & Logistics

• · Manage all logistical aspects of events, including venues, vendors, contracts, catering, audiovisual needs, rentals, and on-site coordination.

• · Serve as the primary on-site lead for assigned events, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees, partners, and staff.

• · Anticipate and troubleshoot event-day challenges with professionalism and adaptability.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• · Partner closely with Philanthropy, Corporate Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Volunteer Engagement, and Community Impact teams to deliver cohesive events.

• · Ensure events support fundraising strategies, storytelling goals, volunteer engagement, and corporate partner objectives.

• · Coordinate internal roles and responsibilities to ensure staff are prepared and aligned for each event.

Vendor, Partner & Sponsor Coordination

• · Build and maintain relationships with event vendors, venues, sponsors, and community partners.

• · Support sponsor fulfillment, recognition, and stewardship in coordination with Philanthropy and Corporate Engagement teams.

• · Ensure all partner interactions reflect United Way's professionalism and commitment to community impact.

Budget Management & Evaluation

• · Develop and manage event budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.

• · Evaluate event performance using attendance, engagement, and financial metrics.

• · Prepare post-event reports, debriefs, and recommendations to inform future planning.

Brand, Experience & Stewardship

• · Ensure all events reflect United Way's brand, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• · Support donor and partner stewardship through thoughtful event experiences and follow-up.

• · Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to support event promotion and post-event storytelling.

What We're Looking For

Experience, Skills, & Abilities

• · Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• · 2+ years of experience in event management, hospitality, nonprofit development, or related fields.

• · Proven ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously with strong attention to detail.

• · Excellent project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• · Experience managing budgets, vendors, and contracts.

• · Comfort working with senior leaders, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.

• · Strong problemsolving skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, develop contingency plans, and quickly implement effective solutions during event planning and execution.

• · Ability to work occasional nights and weekends for events.

• · Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• · Listen to understand and speak to be understood.

• · Obsess over the details, but don't be a perfectionist.

• · Strive for best-in-class.

• · Challenge assumptions respectfully and thoughtfully.

• · Think big and be creative.

• · Be thoughtful and kind.

United Way of Greenville County offers competitive compensation based on prior experience and qualifications as well as comprehensive benefits in order to best support our people. Benefits we offer include health, dental and vision insurance where United Way of Greenville County pays generously towards the cost of these benefits for employees and their families.

United Way of Greenville County is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.